LSU Game By Game Predictions

LSU enters the 2023 season as the No. 5 team in the country by both the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll. The Tigers are coming off a 10-4 season in Brian Kelly’s first year in Baton Rouge. LSU was able to finish off their season strong by being Purdue in the Citrus Bowl after back-t0-back losses to Texas A&M and Georgia in the SEC Championship. Kelly will be hoping that momentum continues into the 2023 season, as the Tigers have high expectations. We are going to take a deep dive into the game-by-game predictions for LSU in 2023.

LSU Game By Game Predictions

Week 1: vs. Florida State (Orlando)

LSU’s week one matchup against Florida State is setting up to be a top-10 clash as the Tigers check in as the No. 5 team in the country, and the Seminoles are the No. 8 team in the land. Last year’s matchup between the two teams was in New Orleans and was one of the best games in the season. LSU started off the game slow, and Florida State was able to jump to an early lead.

The Tigers were able to crawl their way back in the second half, and they ended up scoring a touchdown with time expiring. With the touchdown, LSU would be down 24-23. The game would come to an end in heartbreaking fashion for LSU as Florida State was able to block the game-tying extra point as they came out a season-opening win. LSU will be looking for revenge this year, and this matchup is set up to be a defacto College Football Playoff semifinal.

The winner of this game will have a path to be one of those four playoff teams at the end of the season. These are two of the most talented teams in the country, and this game will come down to the wire, similar to what we saw in 2022. This time, LSU comes away with a close win to open up their season on the right foot. Record: 1-0 

Week 2: vs. Grambling

After a big opening win to begin their season, LSU will return to a place that is one of the best atmospheres in all of college football. This will be the first time in school history that LSU will face off against Grambling on the gridiron. It is also the second consecutive year that the Tigers will face off against an HBCU. LSU squared off against Southern in week two of the 2022 season.

Kelly’s squad was able to take care of business in last year’s matchup against the in-state foe. LSU will continue their hot streak to start the season as they will defeat Grambling pretty handily. Record: 2-0

Week 3: @ Mississippi State

After opening up the season 2-0, the Tigers will now turn their attention to conference play as they will head to Starkville. LSU will have to deal with the noise early on in this game as it is set for an 11 a.m. kickoff. In last year’s matchup, LSU had to face adversity as Mississippi State jumped out to a 10-0 lead. The Tigers were able to roar back in the second half to defeat Mississippi State, 31-16.

Mississippi State is returning one of the best passing quarterbacks in the SEC with Will Rogers, but there are certainly some unknowns with the Bulldogs. After the passing of Mike Leach, Mississippi State hired Zach Arnett as their head coach. Arnett served as Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator over the past few seasons. This game is always an instant classic, and this year should be no different. The Bulldogs are a team you do not want to mess with early on in the season, but LSU will start off SEC play with a victory. Record: 3-0

Week 4: vs. Arkansas

LSU will continue on with their SEC stretch as they face off against Arkansas in week four. This is an unusual site for fans of both teams as this matchup has been at the back half of the season, but this year it is at the start of the season. It was a defensive battle between LSU and Arkansas last season. Both offenses struggled mightily throughout the game. Harold Perkins showed what he was capable of against the Razorbacks as he carried the load for LSU to defeat Arkansas 13-10.

Arkansas returns one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC with K.J. Jefferson, and the Razorbacks are going to be one of those sneaky teams in the SEC West. There is experience on both sides of the ball, and this team is known for starting off hot. This is always a battle between these two teams. The ‘Battle for the Golden Boot’ is a must-watch for SEC fans, and LSU will continue its winning streak with a win over the Razorbacks. Record: 4-0 

Week 5: @ Ole Miss

The Tigers will hit the road for back-to-back weeks starting on week five as the SEC stretch continues. Ole Miss was the talk of the town in the SEC to start the season last year as they kicked off the 2022 season with seven straight wins. The Rebels entered their matchup last year against LSU riding the momentum. Ole Miss was able to punch first in last year’s matchup as they had a 17-3 lead to start off this contest.

Like LSU did many times last season, they were able to fight their way back from an early deficit as they knocked off Ole Miss, 45-20. The Ole Miss offense is expected to be one of the best, as they have one of the most star-studded quarterback rooms in the conference. This will be one of the first games in the season that the Tigers will be tested, especially going on the road to Oxford. The Tigers come away with a road victory to continue their winning ways. Record: 5-0 

Week 6: @ Missouri

LSU will travel to face off against Missouri for the first time since the 2020 season. It was an offensive shootout between the two teams, but Missouri was able to pull off the win at the last second. Missouri will be one of those teams that no one wants to talk about in the SEC East, but they certainly have the talent to make some noise in that division. LSU will be hoping that their trip this year to Columbia will be better than the last time they visited.

The Tigers have been able to pass all of their tests this season, but it definitely doesn’t get any easier for LSU moving forward. Missouri’s defense won’t be able to handle the passing game of LSU. Look for LSU to stay undefeated both in SEC play and in the overall ranks. Record: 6-0

Week 7: vs. Auburn

LSU’s clash against Auburn is always a treat for SEC fans to watch across the country. It was a back-and-forth defensive battle during the 2022 season, but LSU was able to come away with a 21-17 win on the plains. Auburn has a new face at both quarterback and head coach. Hugh Freeze is making his return to the SEC after spending the last few seasons at Liberty. Auburn also announced that Michigan State transfer, Payton Thorne, will be their starting quarterback.

In Auburn’s last visit to Death Valley, they were able to break the multi-year losing streak they had against LSU in Tiger Stadium. This is always a game that is won in the trenches, and this year’s matchup should be no different. Auburn definitely has some question marks at multiple positions on both sides of the ball, but they are going to be one of those teams that can pull off the upset. Auburn is going to give everything they have against LSU on the road, but the purple and gold head to week eight feeling good about themselves. Record: 7-0

Week 8: vs. Army

The Tigers continue their home stretch as they get a break in SEC play as they host Army. When looking at the possible non-conference foes that you can draw, Army is one of those teams that will be able to challenge you. The Black Knights are well-known for their triple option attack, that is confusing to defend for any defense.

Even with the triple option, LSU will have the offensive advantage against a solid Army defense. The Tigers head into the bye week with an undefeated record and the matchup of the year in the SEC awaits after the bye week. Record: 8-0

Week 9: Bye Week

LSU will head into the bye week with an undefeated record as they prepare for a matchup that can possibly decide who goes to Atlanta to represent the western division in the SEC Championship.

Week 10: @ Alabama

LSU against Alabama is a game that is always circled before the start of the season. Entering the season, Alabama still remains the favorite in the SEC West, even with the question marks at the quarterback position. The Crimson Tide has lost some valuable talent on both sides of the ball, but Nick Saban always is able to reload this roster.

LSU was able to win a thrilling game against Alabama in Death Valley last year. It was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, and the game had to be decided in overtime. The Crimson Tide was able to draw first blood in overtime, but the Tigers quickly struck back. The play call of the year for Kelly would be next as he decided to go for the win. Jayden Daniels was able to connect with Mason Taylor as the Tigers upended Alabama 32-31. Alabama will be looking to avenge their loss in Tiger Stadium last year, and they will do just that with a nail-biting win at home. Record: 8-1

Week 11: vs. Florida

LSU will be looking to bounce back after taking their first loss of the season at the hands of Alabama. The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers to cap off the 2023 season as they face off against one of their bitter rivals, Florida. Florida, like many SEC teams this season, will be featuring a new face at the quarterback spot. The Gators will be going with Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz as their lead signal caller heading into the 2023 season. This could be a pivotal season for Billy Napier and Florida.

LSU was able to upend the Gators last season in Gainesville, as Daniels had one of his best games during the 2022 season. Florida’s defense will be challenged all throughout this matchup, as the Tigers will have one of the best offenses in the SEC. LSU is able to rebound from a road loss in Tuscaloosa with a win over Florida. Record: 9-1

Week 12: vs. Georgia State

The Tigers will finish off the 2023 season with three-straight home games after their clash with Alabama. After picking up a home win over the Gators in week 11, LSU will host Georgia State. LSU should have no problem with Georgia State as they look to stay in the hunt heading into week 13. Record: 10-1

Week 13: vs. Texas A&M

LSU will once again end their season against Texas A&M. The Aggies are coming off a disappointing 2022 season after being ranked inside the top ten heading into last year. Texas A&M finished the season at 5-7, but they were able to destroy LSU’s playoff hopes in 2022. Texas A&M was able to control this game, and their running game was unstoppable. They will have one of the best defenses in the SEC and now have an answer at quarterback. Connor Wiegman will be the lead guy for the Aggies heading into the 2023 season.

This LSU team definitely will have this game circled on their calendars after the embarrassing loss last year to Texas A&M. The Tigers will cap off the 2023 season with a win. Record: 11-1